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| British Prime Minister Boris Johnson and Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelenskiy |
International Military - It is important for the UK to continue to demonstrate that they are supporting Ukraine for the long term. This was revealed by the British Prime Minister, Boris Johnson, Saturday (18/6/2022). He also warned of the risk of "Ukrainian exhaustion" as the war continued.
"Russia is moving forward inch by inch and it is very important for us to show what we know very well that Ukraine can win and will win," Johnson told reporters upon returning to England from a visit to Kiev.
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The recent trip to Kiev was Johnson's second after he previously met President Volodymyr Zelensky on April 9. Johnson, who survived a no-confidence vote earlier this month, was greeted by Zelensky as a "good friend" and posted a photo of himself with the Ukrainian president, with the words "Mr President, Volodymyr, Nice to be in Kiev again".
"When Ukraine fatigue sets in, it's very important to show that we are with them for the long term and we are giving them the strategic resilience they need," Johnson said. Johnson offered to launch a major training operation for Ukrainian troops, with the potential to train up to 10,000 troops every 120 days at the meeting, his office said.
"My visit today, in the depths of this war, is to send a clear and simple message to the Ukrainian people: Britain is with you, and we will be with you until you finally win," Johnson said.
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"That is why I have offered President Zelensky a new military training program that can change the equation of this war - harnessing that most powerful force, Ukraine's determination to win," he continued.
The unannounced trip is Johnson's latest show of support for Zelensky since Russia invaded Ukraine on February 24. Johnson's visit comes a day after the leaders of France, Germany, Italy and Romania traveled to Kiev and endorsed Ukraine's candidate status to join the European Union.